The fortress-like Navesink Twin lighthouse, located in Lower New
York Bay, was the primary lighthouse for New York Bay
and is still used as a private aid to navigation. The lighthouse overlooks the Atlantic
Ocean, Shrewsbury River,
Raritan Bay,
and Sandy Hook. The lighthouse was first lit in 1862.
The South Tower
is no longer in operation but the North
Tower is currently in operation and
houses it’s own museum.
New York
The Fire Island lighthouse is located on Fire
Island in Suffolk County
and was established in 1827. Fourteen oil lamps lighted the original 89-foot
stone tower until in the 1850’s when it was determined that more modern
lighting was needed. It was torn down and replaced with a 167-foot brick tower
that was later encased with cement and painted. The original keeper’s quarter
has been converted into a museum. Tours of the tower are offered several times
a week but it is recommended that reservations be made in advance.
The Stony Point lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse
on the Hudson River. It is located in Stony
Point in Rockland County
and was built, along with a keeper’s house, by Thomas Phillips. In 1925, the
original lighthouse was decommissioned and replaced by a light, steel tower
built closer to the shoreline. Weekend tours are available between April and
October. Call in advance for exact times and dates.
Rhode Island
The Rose Island
lighthouse is located north of Newport
Harbor in Newport
County and was established in 1870.
In the past this lighthouse was vandalized but was restored in the 1980’s. The Rose
Island lighthouse is open to the
public and overnight lodging is available. This lighthouse offers the chance of
a lifetime if you are up to the challenge. Apartments are available for anyone
who wishes to stay a week and act as keeper of the lighthouse. Keepers are
responsible for daily tasks such as raising the flag, recording weather,
electric, and water data, as well as performing regular maintenance. Call for
reservations because this lighthouse is usually booked up for long periods of
time.